Bennett holds onto sixth in Giro d'Italia

The Nelson cyclist George Bennett has finished 12th on the latest stage of the Giro d'Italia to maintain his sixth place overall.

The overall race leader Englishman Simon Yates launched a stinging attack in the final phase of the 156km 11th stage to extend his overall lead to 47 seconds over defending champion Dutch Tom Dumoulin.

George Bennett Photo: Supplied

Yates and Dumoulin, the two favourites for the pink jersey, were part of the initial breakaway on the stage from Assisi to Osimo near the Adriatic coast.

Yates made his move in the final 1.5 kilometres to finish two seconds ahead of Dumoulin, while Italy's Davide Formolo finished third.